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Finding the best SoundBar for you...Sun, 22 Jan 2017 16:23:45 +0000en-GBhourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.7.9What Can Wireless Speakers Do For Your Soundbar?http://soundbarreviews.co.uk/wireless-speakers-soundbar/
http://soundbarreviews.co.uk/wireless-speakers-soundbar/#respondThu, 11 Aug 2016 13:18:46 +0000http://soundbarreviews.co.uk/?p=230Buying a soundbar can be a great way to enhance the sound on your HD TV. They are easy to install, there are models that are good for almost any TV that you can find, and they provide a much better audio experience for watching movies and TV shows. For many, this is reason enough…

Buying a soundbar can be a great way to enhance the sound on your HD TV. They are easy to install, there are models that are good for almost any TV that you can find, and they provide a much better audio experience for watching movies and TV shows. For many, this is reason enough to make the purchase, but many of the newer soundbars can do much more.

One of the features that you will find on some of the newer soundbars is the ability to connect with wireless speakers. This capability opens up some nice options that can help to make the system even more useful or make it even better for providing sound to the shows, movies and games that may be on the TV.

Surround Sound

With many of the units that have wireless speaker compatibility, you can convert the soundbar into a true surround sound system. Instead of watching programmes in stereo, you can get the full 5.1-channel experience that is intended when movies and TV shows are made.

One of the best things about this option is that it gives you the choice of upgrading to surround sound at a later date. When you purchase your soundbar, you might just want the improved audio without investing in the full cost of a surround system. This gives you the ability to get the soundbar first and then later, when you want surround, you can buy a set of speakers for the rear.

Additionally, these systems are much easier to setup than traditional surround sound systems. Since the components are wireless, you do not have to run wires which can be a pain to conceal. You just connect the sound bar to the TV (which in some cases may be done wirelessly), connect the wireless subwoofer and then position the wireless rear speakers and link them into the system.

Some soundbars – like the Sony HT-RT5 shown above – already come with the rear speakers. If you want the ease of installation that comes with full surround experience, a system like this comes with everything that you need right from the start.

The main point that you will want to look for on these systems is that they have 5.1-channel decoding for the surround sound. Otherwise, it might be compatible with wireless speakers, but it is still only going to provide standard stereo sound.

Multi-room Expandability

Another great feature of soundbars that have compatibility with wireless speakers is that they can be expanded into multi-room sound systems. Popular soundbars with this capability include the Sonos Playbar, the Samsung HW-J7500, the LG HS7 and the above-mentioned Sony HT-RT5.

With systems like this, you can buy wireless speakers that can be mounted in different areas of the home or moved around, as you need them. The soundbar then works as a hub for wirelessly streaming music to these different speakers. With many of these systems, you can even have one person using the soundbar for watching the TV and it can still stream music to speakers that are in another room.

For the most part, these systems will be controlled by an app that you can download for your Smartphone or tablet. The app will provide a range of different control options to enable different speakers and select different music sources. In addition to that, you might be able to set up different music zones for streaming different playlists. That said, the features will vary from one model to the next, so it is recommended that you look into the features before making a purchase.

If you want a soundbar or a soundbase that has the ability to work with wireless speakers, there are several models that are currently available. Before you purchase, you might want to look a little deeper into the features and see the different options that some of these systems provide. Beyond looking into the system and its features, you may also want to check out the different speakers that are available, the cost of the speakers and find out if there are any additional pieces of equipment that you may need to make it all work.

]]>http://soundbarreviews.co.uk/wireless-speakers-soundbar/feed/0Can Virtual Surround Compete with 5.1-Channel Surround Sound?http://soundbarreviews.co.uk/virtual-surround-vs-5-1-channel-surround-sound/
http://soundbarreviews.co.uk/virtual-surround-vs-5-1-channel-surround-sound/#respondMon, 01 Aug 2016 18:12:45 +0000http://soundbarreviews.co.uk/?p=226With the purchase of a nice new HD TV, many buyers find that they are decidedly underwhelmed by the sound output from the onboard speakers. As screen technologies have advanced to provide people with picture quality that just keeps getting better, the idea of better onboard sound has received little to no attention. Further, as…

With the purchase of a nice new HD TV, many buyers find that they are decidedly underwhelmed by the sound output from the onboard speakers. As screen technologies have advanced to provide people with picture quality that just keeps getting better, the idea of better onboard sound has received little to no attention. Further, as the TVs have gotten thinner and more compact for their screen sizes, the amount of room for onboard speakers has decreased and, as a result, many newer models actually have smaller speakers than their counterparts from five years ago.

This creates an experience that does not match, and for many, the only answer is to buy a sound system that will enhance the audio quality for their home viewing centre. In the search for better home audio, you are going to come across a vast array of choices, but a common point that many will consider is whether they want a system that delivers true 5.1 surround sound or if they want to get a soundbar that has virtual surround instead.

While there are plenty of points to consider when choosing between true surround sound and a soundbar, the question of whether the virtual systems can deliver a good surround experience might be something to think about.

First, we should talk about how a virtual surround sound creates this effect. When you have a soundbar with virtual surround, the speakers are all in front of you, but the system uses certain tricks to make it seem as though sound is coming from every direction. Different manufacturers use different technologies to provide virtual surround, but they all work on the same principles.

A virtual surround system works off an algorithm that decodes the 5.1-channel source and processes it for the speakers of the system. It then uses different sound modulation techniques and channels the sound in different directions to create the effect. The way that the sound bounces off the walls and comes to the listener, will give the brain the impression that it is coming from a direction other than the speaker system.

The hitch is that these algorithms and processing technologies are usually designed for rooms of certain shapes and sizes. For the most part, virtual surround is going to work better in rooms that more square and the effect tends to dissipate in rooms that are very large and open. Additionally, the effect usually works best when the viewers are sitting with their backs near a wall that is opposite the sound system.

The above points are true of most sound systems that use a virtual surround, but there are some exceptions. Systems with subwoofers are generally going to add to the effect, plus the size and quality of the drivers in the soundbar can make a difference. Additionally, there are some systems at the higher end of the market that do have some tuning features for the virtual surround.

With a well designed virtual surround, under the right conditions it can come pretty close to replicating the effect of a 5.1-channel system. That said, you are almost always going to find that a true surround provides the most theatre-like experience. The sound for most movies and TV shows are encoded in 5.1 surround sound, so a system (like the Samsung one shown above) that has the ability to faithfully decode and play the audio the way that it was intended will always perform better.

One point to consider with 5.1-channel systems is the way in which they are connected to the TV. With many TVs, they automatically convert the 5.1-channel sound to stereo so that it can match the onboard speakers of the TV. If your surround system is connected through optical audio or the old L/R analog jacks, then it might not pass the 5.1-channel audio on to the system, and as a result, you are still only getting the 2-channel sound from the speakers. To fix this, you may want to connect your audio sources directly to the surround system. Some newer TVs can recognise that they are connected to an external system or have a setting that can be adjusted, but this might be a point to consider.

Buyers will also find that there is another option for people that want the true 5.1-channel surround, but like the idea of the easy setup and convenience of a soundbar. When you are shopping for your TV audio system, you will find soundbars that come with a set of wireless speakers for the rear audio. The system will have 5.1-channel decoding and the wireless speakers are easy to set up. Beyond this, you also have models that come as 2.1-channel systems, but they come equipped with 5.1-channel decoding and compatibility for the wireless speakers. This means that you can start out with the 2.1-channel soundbar and then convert the system to a true 5.1-channel surround if you want the benefits of the additional speakers.

The choice between a soundbar and a full surround sound system is one that many buyers will encounter, and this question of virtual surround is just one of the points to consider. For many, it may be a matter of price or it could be about factors like the ease of installation and the desire to eliminate the mess of wires that can come with having a surround. A full surround sound system is not going to practical for every home and for many, surround might not even be an issue; the individual might just want better sound for watching TV.

]]>http://soundbarreviews.co.uk/virtual-surround-vs-5-1-channel-surround-sound/feed/0Integrated or Separate Subwoofer?http://soundbarreviews.co.uk/integrated-vs-separate-subwoofer/
http://soundbarreviews.co.uk/integrated-vs-separate-subwoofer/#respondMon, 01 Aug 2016 17:28:33 +0000http://soundbarreviews.co.uk/?p=223 A soundbar is a speaker enclosure that is designed to enhance the sound for watching movies and TV. Most of the earlier models did not come with subwoofers of any kind and instead, just offered better stereo sound for the viewer. However, it is an increasing trend that new soundbars include subwoofers – either…

A soundbar is a speaker enclosure that is designed to enhance the sound for watching movies and TV. Most of the earlier models did not come with subwoofers of any kind and instead, just offered better stereo sound for the viewer. However, it is an increasing trend that new soundbars include subwoofers – either as separate units or integrated into the main housing. This helps to fill in the low-end sound and it adds more impact to certain elements of the audio experience.

In shopping for a soundbar or soundbase, you are going to find that some models come with a built-in subwoofer and then there are some others that come with a separate subwoofer that you connect to the system (often wirelessly). This may lead some to question which is better or which style is right for their home. There is not really a strict “one is better than the other” type of answer and it will depend on what the individual is looking for in a home audio system.

For the quality and the impact of the bass, the separate subwoofers are usually going to outperform the models that have them integrated into the unit. While the models that do have built in subwoofers can still sound good and produce a ton of bass, they have to be worked into the unit (like the Sony soundbase model shown below) with all of the other speakers and components of the system. When the subwoofer is in its own dedicated enclosure, the designers have a little more freedom to design the box to get the best response from the speaker.

In addition to this, the limited amount of space means that they cannot fit as large a subwoofer in to the unit, or that they might have to modify the size or position of other components to fit it in. This is especially true when you are talking about soundbars over soundbases. A soundbase will have a little more room to fit these components in, so there will not be quite as much need for compromise.

On the point of installation, the units that have the integrated subwoofer are going to be easier to install and set up. It is just the one unit, so you do not have any extra wires or cords to run to get the subwoofer working. However, some manufacturers have started to offer subwoofers that are wireless to make the installation a little easier. It will still be a little more work, but it is better than having to run a piece of speaker wire to the subwoofer.

To take it all down to basic terms, if you want the best performance on the low frequency channel, then a separate subwoofer is probably the right way to go, but if you are more concerned with having a system that is easy to set up, an integrated subwoofer will probably be better. Both can work well depending on your needs and the design. You can still find models with integrated subwoofers that produce great low-end sound and you can find models, with separate subwoofers that are relatively easy to install. It’s just a matter of knowing what you want, and finding a model that fits your home.

]]>http://soundbarreviews.co.uk/integrated-vs-separate-subwoofer/feed/0Sony HT-XT2 Reviewhttp://soundbarreviews.co.uk/sony-ht-xt2-review/
http://soundbarreviews.co.uk/sony-ht-xt2-review/#commentsWed, 29 Jun 2016 17:39:34 +0000http://soundbarreviews.co.uk/?p=207If you are tired of the weak sound that comes from your TV’s onboard speakers and want to get something that will make for better audio to go with the nice picture, then the Sony HT-XT2 sound base offers a nice solution. The sound on this 2.1-channel system is very good and it does have…

]]>If you are tired of the weak sound that comes from your TV’s onboard speakers and want to get something that will make for better audio to go with the nice picture, then the Sony HT-XT2 sound base offers a nice solution. The sound on this 2.1-channel system is very good and it does have some nice features, but Sony has missed some points that have helped to make some of their other sound base units more user-friendly.

With the HT-XT2 from Sony, you have a 2.1-channel system that delivers good sound capabilities. This is an all in one unit. The sound base has the standard 2-channel stereo speakers, plus an integrated 100W subwoofer to fill out the bottom end of the sound. All of the hardware blends well to provide audio that sounds great for a variety of different applications.

For the sound processing features, this model does offer great capabilities for sound that is impressive. It has Dolby Digital sound processing, plus it uses the Sony S-Force Pro for delivering a limited virtual surround sound effect. You also have a range of preset audio settings for things like sports, movies and games, plus the system comes with Sony’s ClearAudio+ and the Digital Sound Enhancement Engine for restoring the sound quality to compressed audio files.

In regard to the features and additional functions, this is one area where the HT-XT2 comes up big. You can stream music from mobile devices over Bluetooth, it has a USB for playing music files, it can connect to the internet for music streaming services and it comes equipped with Google Cast for streaming music apps from your devices. Beyond that, the user can use the Sony SongPal app and a set of compatible wireless speakers to turn this model into a full house music player.

While this model does have some nice connectivity options for the expanded features, it does come up short when you look at the TV connecting options. This model has Bluetooth with NFC for streaming music, it can connect to the internet via Wi-Fi or Ethernet and you have the USB port for playing music from a thumb drive. All of those are great connectivity options that really help to expand the versatility of this system. However, the main purpose of this unit is to connect it to a TV and the options in this area are a little limited. With this model, your options are an ARC-enabled HDMI and the optical audio input. If your TV has compatible outputs, then these are some of the best options for connecting, but the lack of an analog connection will limit this unit’s compatibility with some older or less expensive TVs.

Assuming that your TV does have the compatible connecting outputs, this sound base is simple to install. You just connect, through the HDMI or the optical audio, plug the unit in and it is ready for action. Even connecting external devices through the Bluetooth and getting this unit on the internet is fairly simple. All in all, it is a user-friendly model as long as your TV has the supported outputs.

]]>http://soundbarreviews.co.uk/sony-ht-xt2-review/feed/1Samsung HW-J355 Reviewhttp://soundbarreviews.co.uk/samsung-hwj355-review/
http://soundbarreviews.co.uk/samsung-hwj355-review/#respondWed, 29 Jun 2016 17:39:17 +0000http://soundbarreviews.co.uk/?p=209With the Samsung HW-J355 2.1-channel soundbar, you can bring the audio in your home viewing centre to the next level. The soundbar itself has great range and with the added subwoofer, you get an audio experience that is pretty impressive for the price. Add in some nice features like Bluetooth and wireless connectivity and this…

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﻿ With the Samsung HW-J355 2.1-channel soundbar, you can bring the audio in your home viewing centre to the next level. The soundbar itself has great range and with the added subwoofer, you get an audio experience that is pretty impressive for the price. Add in some nice features like Bluetooth and wireless connectivity and this makes for system that should please most buyers.

This is a 2.1-channel sound system that delivers a total of 120W of power. The soundbar enclosure has four speakers, two tweeters and two mid-range speakers, then you have the 60W subwoofer to fill out the low end. This arrangement makes for sound that is well defined and very clear. It may not have the power of some of the more expensive systems, but most users will find that this model delivers more than enough for their purposes.

The HW-J355 from Samsung comes with some nice audio features that should work for the purposes of most users. This soundbar comes with Dolby Digital sound processing, a virtual surround feature and it offers the user four preset sound modes that include sports, cinema, music and voice. In addition to that, it has controls for bass and treble, plus the ability to independently control the volume of the subwoofer.

As nice added features, the user also has the ability to connect mobile devices through Bluetooth and it has a USB port for playing music files from an external drive. Devices pair nice and easy for music streaming and it can play a variety of different formats from the USB. With these two features, it makes the HW-J355 good for use as a home music player.

On installation, this soundbar is pretty easy to get set up. It can be set on the TV stand and it comes with the mounting hardware for homes where the TV is on the wall. If you have a compatible Samsung TV, then you can use the Sound Connect feature to connect the soundbar wirelessly. If not, you can either connect through the optical audio connection or use the headphone-style audio connection. One connector that is notably missing is the ability to connect through the L/R audio connection.

Beyond positioning the unit and connecting it to the TV, you will also have to connect the power supply and the subwoofer. The subwoofer does connect with a wire, so that is a cable that you will have to run, but it does connect easily and it does not add a lot of work to the process.

This model comes with operation that is pretty user-friendly. The remote is easy to use and it allows good access to all of the features. If you have your TV connected wirelessly to a Samsung TV, then the soundbar will power on with the remote from the TV and you will be able to control the volume from the TV remote. However, you will still need to keep the remote handy for some of the deeper options like the subwoofer volume and for controlling soundbar when it is in use as a music player.

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http://soundbarreviews.co.uk/samsung-hwj355-review/feed/0Samsung HW-J7500 Reviewhttp://soundbarreviews.co.uk/samsung-hw-j7500-review/
http://soundbarreviews.co.uk/samsung-hw-j7500-review/#respondWed, 29 Jun 2016 17:38:59 +0000http://soundbarreviews.co.uk/?p=211The Samsung HW-J7500 curved soundbar is a great product for those looking to improve the audio quality on their HD TV. This model delivers a nice amount of audio power and it produces a sound quality that is really impressive. Along with that, it comes with a variety of nice features that help to provide…

]]>The Samsung HW-J7500 curved soundbar is a great product for those looking to improve the audio quality on their HD TV. This model delivers a nice amount of audio power and it produces a sound quality that is really impressive. Along with that, it comes with a variety of nice features that help to provide this system with great versatility.

This model provides the user with an 8.1-channel audio system. However, it is not a surround sound. It has six front-facing speakers and two that face the sides of the soundbar. The speakers are controlled by eight independent amps, and that is where the eight-channel classification comes from. In addition to the eight speakers in the bar, you have a 160W wireless subwoofer. With this setup, this is a system that offers a high-quality audio experience.

While this system does not come as a true surround sound, the precision control from the eight amplifiers and the speaker arrangement do make for a system that provides one of the more effective virtual surround sounds. Additionally, the system does have 5.1-channel decoding and the user can buy a set of Samsung’s wireless speakers to turn this unit into a true surround.

The HW-J7500 from Samsung offers an impressive array of audio features. In addition to a solid virtual surround, it comes with four preset audio modes and an 8-band equalizer for making your own custom adjustments.

In addition to the nice audio features, the user gets some good functional features that help to make this unit very versatile. First, you have the ability to turn this into a true surround with the 5.1-channel decoding and a set of wireless speakers. Beyond that, you also have the ability to play music from a thumb drive, Bluetooth capabilities for streaming music from mobile devices and this system can be expanded into a multi-room music player.

For connectivity, this model from Samsung has some great options. If you have a compatible Samsung TV, then you can connect to the TV wirelessly. Beyond that, you have an HDMI input for connecting things like a DVD or Blu-ray player, an ARC HDMI for connecting to the TV, an optical audio input and 3.5mm audio input jack. Along with that, you also have the Bluetooth, Ethernet, Wi-Fi and a spot for a thumb drive.

For the most part, this model is fairly easy to use. All of the basic features can be controlled with no problem from the remote. However, the remote is not well laid out for accessing some of the deeper features. That said, you can download the Samsung remote app for making these controls a little easier to access. Additionally, connecting wirelessly to a compatible Samsung TV or using the HDMI will allow the user to control the soundbar with the remote from the TV and that is a nice convenience feature.

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http://soundbarreviews.co.uk/samsung-hw-j7500-review/feed/0Goodmans GDSB04BT50 Reviewhttp://soundbarreviews.co.uk/goodmans-gdsb04bt50-review/
http://soundbarreviews.co.uk/goodmans-gdsb04bt50-review/#respondWed, 29 Jun 2016 17:38:26 +0000http://soundbarreviews.co.uk/?p=213If you are looking for an inexpensive option that will boost the sound from your HD TV, then the Goodmans GDSB04BT50 soundbar should fit your needs. It’s not the loudest or the one that comes with the most features, but it will fill the sound out more than your TV’s onboard speakers and it performs…

]]>If you are looking for an inexpensive option that will boost the sound from your HD TV, then the Goodmans GDSB04BT50 soundbar should fit your needs. It’s not the loudest or the one that comes with the most features, but it will fill the sound out more than your TV’s onboard speakers and it performs surprisingly well for a speaker system in this price range

This is a 2.1 channel system, meaning that you do get the stereo sound with the added low frequency channel for a subwoofer. The enclosure comes with two 10W speakers and a built-in 30W subwoofer. That means that all of your sound is coming from the one unit. While you certainly could find soundbars that have more punch, the sound from this model is nice and clear and you do get a little bit of impact from the subwoofer.

For adjustability and processing effects, this model comes with all of the basics. You have three sound modes to choose from. The movie setting is for most of your TV watching, then you have voice for things like the news and talk shows and you have a setting for music. In addition to that, you also have a three-band equalizer for making your own custom adjustments. One common feature that is missing is a virtual surround. However, at a total of 50W, it would be unlikely to create a convincing surround effect.

One nice feature that it does have is Bluetooth connectivity. You can easily connect devices like a Smartphone or tablet and listen to the music that you have saved on the device.

Beyond coming Bluetooth equipped, the connectivity on this device is pretty basic. To connect to the TV, the user has the choice between connecting through the auxiliary in connections or they can use the 3.5mm line in connection. This should be enough for most TVs, but some buyers may be disappointed to find that there is no connection for a digital optical cable.

Being a fairly simple soundbar, this model is very easy to use. It comes with a remote that controls all of the functions and options, plus the Bluetooth connects easily with most compatible devices. Having to use a second remote to control the sound on your TV might be a bit of a hassle to some, but the remote is well laid out and you do not have to do a ton of button pressing to access any of the features or options. Along with that, this model also has onboard controls.

The GDSB04BT50 from Goodmans is very easy to install. It can be set on the TV stand and it comes with hardware for the wall mounting option. All of the speakers are in the one enclosure, so there is no need to run a bunch of cables. You basically just set it where you want it, connect it to the TV, plug in the power supply and it is ready to go.

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http://soundbarreviews.co.uk/goodmans-gdsb04bt50-review/feed/0Panasonic SC-HTB485EBK Reviewhttp://soundbarreviews.co.uk/panasonic-schtb485ebk-review/
http://soundbarreviews.co.uk/panasonic-schtb485ebk-review/#respondThu, 10 Dec 2015 10:41:47 +0000http://soundbarreviews.co.uk/?p=78The Panasonic SC-HTB485EBK sound bar offers a lot of sound for the price. Consumers get the sound bar enclosure with two 60W speakers and a 130W wireless subwoofer for a total of 250W of audio power. This system will definitely improve your home viewing experience by providing your HD TV with a sound quality that…

]]>The Panasonic SC-HTB485EBK sound bar offers a lot of sound for the price. Consumers get the sound bar enclosure with two 60W speakers and a 130W wireless subwoofer for a total of 250W of audio power. This system will definitely improve your home viewing experience by providing your HD TV with a sound quality that is more in line with performance of the screen.

To start, you have the speaker enclosure for all of your mid and higher range sounds, then the system has the downward firing subwoofer to add some bass to the experience. This setup is very well designed and all of the different speakers work well together to deliver very impressive performance.

Panasonic also equipped this unit with features like virtual surround sound and a clear dialogue setting that the user can adjust. With the clear audio, the voices come through nice and clear and you still get good sound for the different effects in the program. In addition to that, the sound bar has a range of different audio settings for applications like listening to music, playing games, watching sports and for films.

For getting the SC-HTB485EBK set up, the user does not have to go through a whole lot of effort. The subwoofer is wireless, so you do not have to run a wire for that and you have options for HDMI and optical audio. With the HDMI, you connect the component to the sound bar and then connect with the HDMI output to the TV. However, there is only one HDMI input, so most consumers will be better served to connect to the TV using the optical cable. Along with that, you also have placement options for leaving the device freestanding or you can mount it on the wall.

Another nice feature that this sound bar comes with is Bluetooth with NFC. You can connect your mobile devices and stream music to the sound system. The music sounds good on the sound bar and if your device is supported by NFC, the wireless connection can be made very easy. Without NFC, the user will have to go the Bluetooth menu and connect by selecting the sound system in the device.

When it comes to ease of use, this system gets high marks. The user can navigate the settings with the remote and adjustments can be made easily. The only thing that would make this sound system easier to use would be a display. It does have some indicator lights to help the user out, but an actual readout of status and volume would be better.

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http://soundbarreviews.co.uk/panasonic-schtb485ebk-review/feed/0Panasonic SC-HTB18EB Reviewhttp://soundbarreviews.co.uk/panasonic-sc-htb18eb-k-soundbar-review/
http://soundbarreviews.co.uk/panasonic-sc-htb18eb-k-soundbar-review/#respondThu, 10 Dec 2015 09:29:18 +0000http://soundbarreviews.co.uk/?p=74With the Panasonic SC-HTB18EB soundbar, consumers can boost the quality of their TV watching experience. This system comes with a two speaker sound bar and a subwoofer for audio that covers the full range of sound and it includes features like Bluetooth to allow the user wireless music streaming. This soundbar system from Panasonic comes…

]]>With the Panasonic SC-HTB18EB soundbar, consumers can boost the quality of their TV watching experience. This system comes with a two speaker sound bar and a subwoofer for audio that covers the full range of sound and it includes features like Bluetooth to allow the user wireless music streaming.

This soundbar system from Panasonic comes with two 30W speakers in the enclosure and then it fills out the bass with a 60W subwoofer. The user gets sound that is pretty good out of this setup, but there are times when it seems like the sub is hitting a little too hard and in these moments, it doesn’t mesh quite so well with the rest of the system.

The SC-HTB18EB does come with some nice sound processing features. It has a simulated surround sound for a more in the action sort of feel and it also has a dialogue enhancer to make voices easier to distinguish. Along with that, you get a range of preset sound settings for things like music, movies and games and there is an independent control for the subwoofer function.

For the installation, this one isn’t the best and it isn’t the worst. It has an optical audio in for connecting with the TV and if that is not an option, it also has plugs for analog audio. For the best sound quality, users should go with the optical connection. Beyond connecting to the TV, you also have to connect the power supply and the cable for the subwoofer. It also comes ready with placement options for in front of the TV and wall mount.

To send music to the sound bar, you can connect your mobile devices through Bluetooth. It pairs easily with devices and the streaming music sounds good over the system.

For ease of use, this system does alright. It has a remote that allows you to control most of the functions without any problem, but there is no display screen. The unit does make up for that with a system of indicator lights, but a screen would be functionally superior.

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http://soundbarreviews.co.uk/lg-hs7-review/#respondWed, 09 Dec 2015 14:43:56 +0000http://soundbarreviews.co.uk/?p=72For consumers that want a sound bar that goes beyond enhancing the sound for their TV, the LG HS7 is something to take a look at. Of course, the sound for your TV will be greatly improved, but this system comes with an array of features like multi-room compatibility and wireless streaming that can make…

]]>For consumers that want a sound bar that goes beyond enhancing the sound for their TV, the LG HS7 is something to take a look at. Of course, the sound for your TV will be greatly improved, but this system comes with an array of features like multi-room compatibility and wireless streaming that can make it perfect for use as a music player.

As far as the hardware goes, the HS7 offers a good setup. You have the main sound bar enclosure with its four speaks and you have the 200W wireless subwoofer for the added bass. The main enclosure operates on four channels and with the subwoofer, that makes for a 4.1-channel system. All of the components blend well together for clear audio that delivers a first-rate experience.

For the audio features, this system also does pretty well. The user does not get true surround, but with the 4.1-channel audio, you get a nice virtual surround that will outperform almost any 2-channel system in this respect. You also get a range of audio presets for things like games, music, movies and sport and in addition to that, you get a user preset for your own customized sound settings.

As another nice feature of this sound bar, it is part of the LG Music Flow series. That means that it has the ability to be converted to or integrated with a multi-room system. You can buy the compatible LG wireless speakers for placement around the house to bring music to every room. The multi-room features are easy to set up and it has features that can allow you to play the same song in every room or different songs in different zones.

Along with that, you also have the ability to connect your mobile devices through the Bluetooth connection. The user can play the songs that are saved on the device or they can stream content from their favourite music apps. In addition to that, you can also get the LG Music Flow app for more sound and playback options.

This system also does well on the installation. You can connect to the TV through an optical audio, the HDMI port or you can connect this sound bar by using the analog audio input. If you have a compatible LG television, you could also take advantage by connecting the sound bar through a wireless signal. Any way that you go, connecting to the TV is very simple and hassle-free.

The ease of use with this sound bar is pretty good once you have the system installed. For the basic use of watching TV and Movies, the remote will be fine, but navigating some of the settings can be a little time consuming. If you plan to really get into this system and make use of all of the features, it is definitely worth considering the remote app for use with a tablet or Smartphone.

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http://soundbarreviews.co.uk/lg-hs7-review/feed/0Sonos Playbar Reviewhttp://soundbarreviews.co.uk/sonos-playbar-review/
http://soundbarreviews.co.uk/sonos-playbar-review/#respondMon, 07 Dec 2015 18:16:40 +0000http://soundbarreviews.co.uk/?p=67If you want to compliment the high-quality video from your HD TV with stunning sound quality, the Sonos Playbar is a product that can do it. This system delivers an audio experience that will far exceed the in-built speakers on your TV and it is one of the most adaptable and adjustable sound bars that…

]]>If you want to compliment the high-quality video from your HD TV with stunning sound quality, the Sonos Playbar is a product that can do it. This system delivers an audio experience that will far exceed the in-built speakers on your TV and it is one of the most adaptable and adjustable sound bars that you will find.

With the Playbar, you get a speaker enclosure that includes nine speakers. It is six mid-range speakers and three tweeters. With this setup, the user gets clear sound that is sure to impress. As it stands, the system offers 3-channel audio, but the sound bar is compatible with the wireless subwoofer and other speakers that come from Sonos. With the subwoofer, you can turn this into a 3.1-channel system or you could add the sub and the Play 1 speakers to turn it into a 5.1-channel surround system.

However, the connectivity options for this device do pose some problems for the 5.1-channel capabilities. The only connecting option for the TV is to use the optical out to connect to the sound bar and most TVs do not have 5.1-channel pass through. If your TV does, then this will be great for you, but they should have equipped this sound bar with multiple HDMI inputs to connect the components and then an HDMI output to connect to the TV. With that option, you would not lose the 5.1-channel audio as the sound passes through the TV. If you don’t plan to buy the rear speakers for the Playbar, then it won’t matter, but this seems to be something that they should have thought of when designing the system.

For getting the system set up, it is very easy. All you have to do is connect the optical cable to the television and connect the power supply. However, as mentioned above, not a lot of connectivity options. If you choose to get the subwoofer, that connects wirelessly, so that is also a fairly simple procedure.

Additionally, you can also connect your mobile devices to wirelessly stream music to the system. This is a great sound bar for listening to music and with the Sonos app, you can use a range of different internet sources for listening to music.

For the expandability of this sound system, there is also the ability to create music zones throughout the house. You can place wireless speakers in other rooms to play music from the Playbar anywhere in the home. You can partition the different speaker sets and have options to play the same thing in every room, or each zone can have its own soundtrack.

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http://soundbarreviews.co.uk/sonos-playbar-review/feed/0Panasonic SC-HTE200EBK Reviewhttp://soundbarreviews.co.uk/panasonic-sc-hte200ebk-review/
http://soundbarreviews.co.uk/panasonic-sc-hte200ebk-review/#respondMon, 07 Dec 2015 18:02:54 +0000http://soundbarreviews.co.uk/?p=65With the Panasonic SC-HTE200EBK, consumers get improved sound quality for their HD TV in one self-contained unit that is easy to use. The sound base comes with an array of speakers for great audio quality and the system is designed to be easy to use. For the sound quality, this unit has the hardware to…

]]>With the Panasonic SC-HTE200EBK, consumers get improved sound quality for their HD TV in one self-contained unit that is easy to use. The sound base comes with an array of speakers for great audio quality and the system is designed to be easy to use.

For the sound quality, this unit has the hardware to deliver. The sound bar is a single enclosure with all of the parts right in the main unit. You have two 50W speakers for stereo sound that work in combination with the dual-subwoofers that are integrated into the enclosure. With this set up, the user gets nice range and with it being all in one unit, it makes it much neater than many of the other systems.

This system comes equipped with a range of audio features that will also help to enhance the experience. It has the virtual surround sound and a clear audio dialogue booster. The virtual surround is pretty good, though not quite as impressive as a true surround system. However, this is a 2-channel design and it does fill the room with sound.

When it comes to playing music, this system performs well. You have Bluetooth with NFC for connecting compatible mobile devices. Connecting through the NFC is nice and easy and the music sounds great when you play it through this system. If your phone or tablet is not NFC compatible, then you can still pair the device with the sound bar by going into the Bluetooth menu. Either way, it should connect easily and maintain the connection with no problem.

This Panasonic sound base is very easy to get set up and ready for use. You have the choice of connecting through and ARC-enabled HDMI or an optical audio input. Both options will provide great performance in regard to the sound, but the HDMI is probably the best way to go. With HDMI ARC, the TV can send audio from sources to the sound base and you can have a source connected to the sound base that sends video to the TV. If the HDMI is not an option, the optical port will work just fine, it just opens up more options to have it connected through the HDMI ARC input.

Once you get this system installed, it is also very easy to use. The options are easy to navigate and the remote makes controlling the sound bar very simple. You also have a front panel display that makes it easy to know what functions you are operating and where the settings are.

]]>http://soundbarreviews.co.uk/panasonic-sc-hte200ebk-review/feed/0Sony HT-RT5 Reviewhttp://soundbarreviews.co.uk/sony-ht-rt5-review/
http://soundbarreviews.co.uk/sony-ht-rt5-review/#respondMon, 07 Dec 2015 17:50:08 +0000http://soundbarreviews.co.uk/?p=63If you are looking for an upgrade to the sound on your TV, then the Sony HT-RT5 sound bar is a product that you have to look into. This system comes with two wireless rear speakers and a wireless subwoofer for a sound bar that delivers a true surround sound experience. Along with being a…

]]>If you are looking for an upgrade to the sound on your TV, then the Sony HT-RT5 sound bar is a product that you have to look into. This system comes with two wireless rear speakers and a wireless subwoofer for a sound bar that delivers a true surround sound experience. Along with being a genuine surround sound system, this set comes loaded with features and functions, making this a sound bar that is hard to beat.

With this system, you get the full array of speakers for a true surround sound experience. First, you have the sound bar enclosure and then you have a set of rear speakers and a wireless subwoofer. This setup delivers powerful sound that has great depth and clarity.

For audio features, Sony equipped the HT-RT5 with features that match the quality of the speakers. This system comes with the Sony S-Master amplifier for a sound that is really impressive. Along with that, you also get Clear Audio Plus, 3D Sound and a range of presets for applications like listening to music, watching movies, sports and much more. In addition to that, it comes with an auto calibration system that uses a microphone to tests the acoustics in the room and it adjusts all of the audio settings to their optimal levels.

For a system that is so advanced, it is surprisingly easy to get set up. You have three HDMI inputs and one HDMI output for a convenient installation process. In addition that, you can also connect through the optical cable or through analog audio. Having all of these options is nice, but the best performance is going to come through using the HDMI connections. Most TVs do not have 5.1-channel pass through for the audio and that means that you will lose the true surround as the audio passes through the TV.

Along with hooking the sound to the TV, you will also have to pair the wireless speakers and subwoofer with the system. The speakers and the subwoofer connect easily, but since they are wireless, they will need their own power supply.

For additional features, this system also has Bluetooth with NFC, a USB port and the ability to be used as a multi-room system. With the Bluetooth, you can stream music from devices like a Smartphone, tablet or laptop. Devices connect easily through the NFC feature and if your device does not support NFC, you can still pair it with the system by using the Bluetooth menu.

If you want to turn this device into a multi-room audio system, you can buy the compatible wireless speakers from Sony and install them in locations around the home. Once you have the system set up, the entire thing can be controlled from any location by using the Sony Song Pal app.

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http://soundbarreviews.co.uk/sony-ht-rt5-review/feed/0Sony HT-CT180 Reviewhttp://soundbarreviews.co.uk/sony-htct180-review/
http://soundbarreviews.co.uk/sony-htct180-review/#commentsMon, 07 Dec 2015 17:41:15 +0000http://soundbarreviews.co.uk/?p=61If you are tired of the second rate sound that comes from the onboard speakers in your TV, then a sound bar can provide a nice solution to improving the audio. With the Sony HT-CT180, consumers get an affordable sound bar that packs a range of nice features for watching TV and listening to music.…

]]>If you are tired of the second rate sound that comes from the onboard speakers in your TV, then a sound bar can provide a nice solution to improving the audio. With the Sony HT-CT180, consumers get an affordable sound bar that packs a range of nice features for watching TV and listening to music.

For the price range, this model provides pretty solid sound. It is a 2.1-channel system that produces 100W in total (there is also an 80W version which is about £30 cheaper – you can see it here). The sound bar enclosure has two 25W speakers and then the addition of the 50W wireless subwoofer makes for a sound that is full and clear. Of course, there are systems with more power, but at this price, this one offers a good combination of power and quality.

For the sound features, this system is run by the Sony S-Master amplifier and it has features like Clear Audio Plus and virtual surround. The simulated surround is nice and it does provide a more immersive experience than the standard stereo sound, but it is not a true surround like you would expect from a 5.1-channel system.

On the set up and installation, this system is pretty good. The user gets connecting options for an optical plug and for analog audio. All you have to do is connect the power supply, connect an input from the TV and pair the sound bar with the wireless subwoofer. For most users, the set up process should be very quick and easy.

For listening to music, the user can connect any compatible mobile device through the Bluetooth. Most tablets, Smartphones and laptops should support this option. In addition to that, the Bluetooth is equipped with NFC for quick connecting and if your device is not supported by NFC, the device can still be connected through the pairing menu.

For operating the sound bar, this unit is about average. It comes with a remote that will easily navigate the different settings and control options, but there is no display for the volume level or the status. Obviously, you can adjust the sound by ear, but it would be nice to see what setting you have it on.

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http://soundbarreviews.co.uk/sony-htct180-review/feed/1LG LAP250H Reviewhttp://soundbarreviews.co.uk/lg-lap250h-review/
http://soundbarreviews.co.uk/lg-lap250h-review/#respondMon, 07 Dec 2015 14:41:03 +0000http://soundbarreviews.co.uk/?p=57The LG LAP250H sound bar is a nice affordable option for people that are looking to improve the sound for their HD TV. This model comes in the sound base design, so it can be placed under the television and it comes with a built-in subwoofer and features like Bluetooth and a wireless TV link.…

]]>The LG LAP250H sound bar is a nice affordable option for people that are looking to improve the sound for their HD TV. This model comes in the sound base design, so it can be placed under the television and it comes with a built-in subwoofer and features like Bluetooth and a wireless TV link.

For sound, this is a low cost model, so it does not have the same amount of power as some of the more expensive units. That being said, it will certainly improve upon the sound of your television. It has 2-channel stereo sound with a built-in subwoofer that helps to give the system a little extra punch.

The LAP250H comes with a nice range of audio features. The user gets a virtual surround sound effect and it comes with a selection of preset audio options. You have presets for things like movies and music and then you also have an equalizer that allows the user to adjust the sound to their own specification.

As a nice set of features, the user also gets Bluetooth and a USB port. With the USB, you can plug in an external drive to play music files from your computer and through Bluetooth, you can stream music from devices like phones, tablets and laptops. These are great additional features for people that want to listen to music on a sound system that is better than the sound from the source device.

As far as getting this system set up goes, LG has equipped this sound base with a nice array of options. If you have a compatible LG TV, then you can connect wirelessly. It is a great option for the easy set up and you will be able to control the sound bar through the TV remote. If not, you have the option of connecting through an HDMI with ARC, using the optical cable or connecting through the analog audio. In addition to these options for connecting to the TV, this sound base also has two HDMI inputs for connecting things like your DVD player or a gaming system.

For ease of use, the LG LAP250H scores pretty well. You have a well-designed remote with buttons that allow you to navigate the controls and options easily and it also has a front display for monitoring the functions of the sound base. For consumers that connect wirelessly, it s even easier to operate because you can just put down the remote for the system and use the TV remote for all of the basic functions.